The Pennyrile District Health Department has been offering the H1N1, or swine flu, vaccine to two target groups – healthcare workers and pregnant women – since last week, said Health Educator Allison Beshear.

The health department has received shipments of both the H1N1 nasal spray and limited supply of the injectable vaccine, said Beshear, adding that they will be able to offer it to other targeted groups once they receive more of the vaccine.

Once all of the target groups have offered the vaccine, the public will be able to receive it, Beshear said.

Those target groups include caregivers of infants less than six months old, children ages six months to 18 years, young adults ages 19 – 24 and any person ages 25 – 64 with an underlying medical condition, Beshear said.

“Pregnant women cannot take the nasal. And any person over age 49 or any person who has a chronic medical condition may not take it either,” said Beshear.

Hopefully they will receive more vaccines every week, and depending on what they get, the health department hopes to start administering the vaccine to other target groups and the public, although the quantities are currently limited, said Beshear.

While healthy healthcare workers and pregnant women wanting the H1N1 vaccine don’t need to make an appointment, it is recommended that people in those groups call the local health department office to confirm that the vaccine is still available, the health educator said.

Beshear said there is no charge for the H1N1 vaccine through any of the Pennyrile District Health Department clinics.

Those wanting to learn more about receiving the vaccine through the Pennyrile District Health Department should call the Caldwell County center at 365-6571, Crittenden County at 965-2215, Livingston County at 928-2193, Lyon County at 388-9763 or Trigg County at 522-8121.